Conservation: Wellness and Wildlife Conservation

By Fátima Ramis, Assistant Curator of Conservation

This past winter was a critical time for our beloved Florida manatees, and thanks to the support of Members, we made a big impact.

The Florida manatee (Tirchechus manatus lairostris), is a sub-species of the West-Indian Manatee and geographically occupies the northern limit of the species range, utilizing rivers and coastal habitats of southeastern United States. However, when water temperatures fall below 68°F during the winter, the Florida manatee is restricted to thermal basins and warm water discharge refuges in the state of Florida. While rotund in shape, manatees do not have enough blubber for insulation and need to consume about 10 percent of their body weight daily in seagrass. In these refuges, manatees congregate in large numbers and feed primarily on seagrass until water temperatures rise again.

Though the Florida manatee has been legally protected since 1893 through the Florida State Law, and later through other state and federal protections, populations experienced substantial decline in the 20th century due to human activities and natural circumstances.

Thanks to collaborative partnerships like the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a consortium of zoos and aquariums, and academic entities who work together to rescue and rehabilitate stranded manatees, their numbers have been increasing. Twenty years ago, there were around 2,000 Florida manatees in the wild. In the year 2020, there was an estimated 7,520.

Not only are we a member of the MRP, but we also have the only critical care facility in northeast Florida. This rehabilitation facility provides life-saving medical treatment to rescued manatees. Manatee rescue and rehabilitation is the Zoo’s largest regional conservation initiative, caring for 35 manatees at the Manatee Critical Care Center since the center opened in 2017. Our Members are active contributors to the MRP through their membership support and attendance—and this year, your support was critical.

Unusual Mortality Event of 2021

Though manatee deaths usually increase during the winter because of cold stress syndrome, often caused by manatees enduring colder than ideal temperatures, manatees experienced something extreme this winter. The 2021 Unusual Mortality Event along the east coast of Florida resulted in approximately over 800 perished manatees. Though the event continues to be investigated, it is likely that manatees were affected by lack of access to seagrass in warm water sites, resulting in starvation. While the causes of this lack of seagrass are not yet clear, it may be related to water quality.

This year, you made a large impact:

In winter 2020, in collaboration with FWC, we rescued and released seven manatees for various reasons, some of which were related to cold stress. The care, rehabilitation, and release of these animals would not be possible without your membership support and attendance. Thank you for protecting and saving Florida’s beloved gentle giant.

Learn how you can help prevent manatee injuires and mortalities. Click the rescued manatee picture.

Prevent Manatee Mortalities